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The 2020 World championships were a shortened affair, but they were not short on excitement. All the results, interviews and video from Imola, plus Paris-Chauny 2020. Deceuninck – Quick-Step boss, Patrick Lefevere, very happy with a rainbow jersey in the team – TOP STORY. Race news from the BinckBank Tour, Flèche Wallonne, Paris–Roubaix Femmes, Volta a Portugal and the Amstel Gold Race. Lappartient thinks the 2020 Vuelta a España will go to Madrid, the Giro d’Italia trofeo is in Milan, Giro Rosa not in the Women’s WorldTour, INEOS Grenadiers signings for 2021, Joop Zoetemelk out of hospital soon, Remco Evenepoel recovery and the new Contador Foundation project. A full Worlds EUROTRASH Monday.
TOP STORY: Deceuninck – Quick-Step more than happy with the rainbow jersey
Patrick Lefevere will have the World champion in his team for the coming year. The team boss of Deceuninck – Quick-Step saw his leader, Julian Alaphilippe, solo to the World title. “He was crying and asked, ‘are you proud of me?’ He always asks me when he wins,” Lefevere told Sporza.
“I am overjoyed,” said the Belgian team manager. “I have never seen so many men crying as today. The whole staff was here and there were also many emotional Italians among them.”
Lefevere knew that Alaphilippe had focused on the World championships in recent weeks. “He has prepared for the Tour, but everyone has prepared well. But riding away where he did, that way, with the best riders in the world on his wheel… Even Wout (Van Aert), who is in super shape, was folding there.”
Lefevere was not so sure that Alaphilippe was going to be able to stay away to the finish line. “I thought it was going to be exciting, because Wout had a teammate, Roglič, with him. He might be able to close the gap, but I don’t think anyone could do better,” Lefevere concluded.
“I love that jersey. In the end we will get out of this shit season that has been turned upside down by the corona virus. Despite everything, we will soon be able to ride the classics with the World champion in the team with a Belgian team and Flemish sponsors. That is a wonderful feeling.”
The Deceuninck – Quick-Step team will be smiling for a year:
World Road Championships 2020
World Championships Men’s Road Race
Julian Alaphilippe won the World road championship giving France their first elite champion since 1997. The silver medal went to Wout van Aert (Belgium) and Marc Hirschi (Switzerland) took bronze.
On the first lap a leading group of Jonas Koch (Germany), Torstein Traeen (Norway), Marco Friedrich (Austria), Daniil Fominykh (Kazakhstan), Yukiya Arashiro (Japan), Eduard Michael Grosu (Romania) and Ulises Alfredo Castillo (Mexico) took a maximum lead of 8 minutes. Slovenia, Switzerland and Denmark took on the chase. Their advantage fluctuated around 6 minutes. With more than a 100 kilometres, the pace increased and the gap was slowly closed. Koch and Traeen were left out front the longest. With three laps to go, the difference between the front riders and the peloton was still 2:30. 70 kilometres out and the French team put on the pressure as they hit the Cima Gallisterna (2.7 km at 6.4%). There was no attack, but the peloton was thinned out under the speed of the French. The last two from the early break were caught. France maintained the pace at the start of the penultimate lap, as Tour winner, Tadej Pogačar, needed a bike change. He returned to the pack as Belgium took over.
On the penultimate climb of the Mazzolano (2.8 km at 5.9%), the British and Belgians set the pace. The Dutchman. The Cima Gallisterna was started at a fast pace. Pogačar attacked, but no one went with him. Benoot set the pace 10 seconds behind the Slovenian, with around forty riders still in the front group. Pogačar extended his lead to 15 seconds. Despite chasing work by Wellens and Benoot, the Slovenian pulled out to 25 seconds at the start of the final lap. On the Mazzolano, the counterattack came from Tom Dumoulin. The Dutchman closed a gap of 7 seconds to Pogačar, but the chase group caught the leading duo before the top.
Vincenzo Nibali jumped at the top and took Mikel Landa, Rigoberto Urán and Wout Van Aert with him. The foursome did not manage to get away. The decision was going to have to be made on the Cima Gallisterna. A group with Van Avermaet and Alaphilippe had a gap just before that climb, but the co-operation was not there. Benoot brought everything back together with one last effort. Van Avermaet increased the pace on the steep Cima Gallisterna. Marc Hirschi accelerated from his wheel and had Van Aert, Nibali, Alaphilippe, Roglic, Schachmann, Kwiatkowski and Fuglsang on his wheel. A group with Dumoulin followed right behind. Just before the top, Alaphilippe put in a strong attack that no one could follow. He had a gap on five riders: Fuglsang, Kwiatkowski, Van Aert, Hirschi and Roglic.
At the start of the descent his lead was 8 seconds, but the Frenchman managed to double it. The presence of Van Aert made the chase difficult. The chasers managed to keep the difference to around 12 seconds. On the descent towards the Formula 1 circuit, the five pursuers could see Alaphilippe, but they were still at 10 seconds. When turning onto the circuit, 3 kilometres from the finish, the difference was 13 seconds. Alaphilippe didn’t wait and despite fierce attempts by Van Aert he could not close the gap and the others couldn’t help the Belgian. Alaphilippe had time to enjoy his win. The sprint was won by Van Aert, Marc Hirschi took the bronze.
Full ‘PEZ Race Report’ with more photos HERE.
2020 World road champion, Julian Alaphilippe (France): “At this moment it’s really difficult to say something. First and foremost, I want to say thank you to all my extraordinary teammates, who believed in me today, rode at the front and chased down all the attacks, and really believed in me. Becoming World Champion was one of my biggest wins. In the past, I came close, but I was never on the podium. Today, everything went perfectly and I could turn into reality this dream of mine. It’s hard for me to describe how I am feeling right now, there are so many things I think of now, so many feelings. This is my greatest victory, a win which I promised to my father I will get one day. Once I attacked with 12 kilometres to go and opened a gap, I was focused on staying at the front and going close to my limit. When I arrived alone at the finish, I couldn’t believe that my dream came true. The coveted rainbow jersey is the most beautiful one in cycling and to know that I will wear it for twelve months gives me huge pride.”
2nd, Wout van Aert (Belgium): “I don’t think I can blame myself and neither can the team. We did what we wanted, because we rode fantastic. I was unable to go when Alaphilippe attacked. That is why I am disappointed. Second place is painful, because I had the legs I wanted. Only, like Friday, one was better. It was a hard attack, I jumped after him, but I think Julian had the advantage of the gap and he was the strongest. Actually, our doubts only came in the last two kilometres and we didn’t get any closer. Yes, I had Primož with me. I know him of course, but he also put his best foot forward. We were all on our limit, and the strongest in front. I have to be satisfied with this, but it is disappointing. I think Primož did everything he could, he was also on the limit. He also knew he couldn’t win in this group, but I’m not mad at anyone. I think there was one better. That was Alaphilippe and he had super legs. If we would come up there with a group, I wouldn’t let anything go any more, but the last hundred metres were too much. If Alaphilippe breaks away at that point, then you know enough. There was nothing he could do and he took just a hundred meters too much at the top.”
3rd, Marc Hirschi (Switzerland): “I didn’t expect anything from this. On the last climb I actually didn’t feel well, but I knew I would get a boost if I accelerated first. Alaphilippe was just too strong, I thought just after the top that it was possible to take him back, but then he turned out to be too strong. Immediately after the climb we worked well together, but everyone knew two kilometres from the finish that we were not going to have a chance in the sprint. That also affects the group. I am super happy and have to see how my form is for the coming races. Maybe that form will drop a bit, but the next race is already on Wednesday, but I try to enjoy it and hopefully I can extend this to next year.”
World Championships Men’s Road Race Result:
1. Julian Alaphilippe (France) in 6:38:34
2. Wout van Aert (Belgium) at 0:24
3. Marc Hirschi (Switzerland)
4. Michał Kwiatkowski (Poland)
5. Jakob Fuglsang (Denmark)
6. Primož Roglič (Slovenia)
7. Michael Matthews (Australia) at 0:53
8. Alejandro Valverde (Spain)
9. Maximilian Schachmann (Germany)
10. Damiano Caruso (Italy).
Men’s road race:
World Championships Women’s Road Race
Anna van der Breggen won the time trial on Thursday and then added the road race title. Teammate Annemiek van Vleuten was second with Italy’s Elisa Longo Borghini in third.
The peloton took the first part of the race at an easy pace, but there were attacks from Canada’s Alison Jackson and Belgian, Valerie Demey. Eventually Jackson and Grace Brown escaped, they were joined by Amy Pieters, Christine Majerus, Lisa Brennauer, Alice Barnes, Hannah Barnes, Katia Ragusa, Juliette Labous, Susanne Andersen, Mavi Garcia and Tayler Wiles. The leading group soon had a lead of almost 2 minutes by the halfway point. Brown and Jackson lost contact.
Denmark started to chase as they wanted to close the gap to the leading group as soon as possible. Once on the Mazzolano climb the Dutch team took command. Marianne Vos thinned the bunch out. Vos then eased off, leaving Van Vleuten to place their attack. Her effort disposed of many of the other top riders. Van der Breggen rode everyone off her wheel. With more than 40 kilometres to go she was alone. Her lead increased and she soon a lead of 1:30. Longo Borghini, Uttrup Ludwig and Van Vleuten were pulled in by the peloton.
Van der Breggen maintained her lead, and had over a minute lead at the finish to take her second World title in three days. Longo Borghini tried again on the last climb of the Cima Gallisterna. Van Vleuten managed to go with her. Van Vleuten beat Longo Borghini to take the silver medal.
Full ‘PEZ Race Report’ with more photos HERE.
2020 World road champion, Anna van der Breggen (Netherlands): “It’s really unbelievable! It was a very tough race. I was fighting from the start. The climbs were very tough. In the end we tried to make the race hard. Everyone was tired, so I decided to go for it. But it was still a long way, I never really thought about that. The circuit is also different from Innsbruck, which also had a number of ramps in it. This season is still very good for me. I did achieve the victories in close succession, but I am in good shape. Although I must now say that I am really tired.”
2nd, Annemiek van Vleuten (Netherlands): “It is of course already bizarre that I could participate here and fight for the medals until the end. It has been an eventful week with a rollercoaster of emotions. I did not feel my pulse on the way, although I had to rather sit down in the climbing. That was also the reason to seek the attack early on. I’m less explosive now. When Anna went, I tried to jump over. You are even more secure with the two of you. But I couldn’t follow at that time and that shows how strong she was riding at that moment.”
3rd, Elisa Longo Borghini (Italy): “This bronze medal means so much for me, especially thinking about how Italy was considered back in March. We were seen as the virus spreaders of Europe but now we’re seen as an example in the fight against the pandemic. My teammates worked so well for me during the race and put me where I needed to be. The only way to thank them was to win the bronze medal. I’m very proud to have won this medal wearing my Italian blue azzurra jersey.”
4th, Marianne Vos (Netherlands): “It couldn’t be better. I am very satisfied. Especially if you can ride such a race. It was great to be able to play this game like that. We were able to keep up with the plan, with Amy (Pieters) who was nicely in the leading group. Of course you have to have the legs for that. With the dominance of Annemiek and Anna, it is a great game that you can play, but it is also above all the class of the two. I was able to join the group behind it, that was an ideal situation when Anna had a gap.”
World Championships Women’s Road Race Result:
1. Anna van der Breggen (Netherlands) in 4:09:57
2. Annemiek van Vleuten (Netherlands) at 1:20
3. Elisa Longo Borghini (Italy)
4. Marianne Vos (Netherlands) at 2:01
5. Liane Lippert (Germany)
6. Elizabeth Deignan (Great Britain)
7. Katarzyna Niewiadoma (Poland)
8. Cecilie Uttrup Ludwig (Denmark) at 2:41
9. Lisa Brennauer (Germany) at 3:08
10. Marlen Reusser (Switzerland).
Women’s road race:
World Championships Men’s Time Trial
Filippo Ganna (Italy) was by far the fastest in the men’s time trial over 31.7 kilometres in Imola. Wout van Aert (Belgium) took the silver medal and bronze went to Stefan Küng (Switzerland). Last year’s champion, Rohan Dennis (Australia), was 5th.
The riders had the wind in their face on the outward part of the course and on their backs on the return journey to the Imola circuit. The first serious time was set by Edoardo Affini with 37:25, which beat Luke Durbridge, Maximilian Walscheid, Jos van Emden and Benjamin Thomas. Geraint Thomas set a fast time at the intermediate point, 25 seconds faster than Affini and at the finish was 54 seconds better than the Italian with 36:31.
Filippo Ganna flew in the first section, 35 seconds faster than Thomas. He also beat Küng, who was fourth at the intermediate check, Dumoulin in fifth, Van Aert sixth and Cavagna in seventh at more than 40 seconds. Rohan Dennis set the second fastest time, 20 seconds behind Ganna. The first of the top riders to beat Thomas was Wout van Aert. The Belgian champion finished in 36:20. Stefan Küng was 3 seconds slower than Van Aert. Tom Dumoulin almost crashed to finish with a time of 37:08. Filippo Ganna, with a time of 35:54, was more than 26 seconds faster than Van Aert. Rohan Dennis finished 39 seconds behind Ganna and had to settle for fifth place.
Ganna, reigning World individual pursuit champion, became the first Italian to win World time trial championships. Van Aert made his debut at the World Championship time trial with silver and Stefan Küng took the bronze medal. Geraint Thomas missed the podium by 8 seconds. Kasper Asgreen was 6th by 1 second ahead of French champ, Rémi Cavagna. Hour record holder, Victor Campenaerts, was 8th as Alex Dowsett and Tom Dumoulin were both over a minute behind Ganna.
Full ‘PEZ Race Report’ with more photos HERE.
2020 TT World champion, Filippo Ganna (Italy): “This is a dream for me. I am really, really happy. I got good support from the support vehicle right up to the finish and I would like to personally thank everyone from the Italian team and from INEOS Grenadiers. I have stayed up with friends over the last few days. We’ve talked about everything, but not about the World Championships and now I’m living in a dream. I can’t find words for it. I’ve already won four rainbow jerseys on the track and this is my first time trial on the road, and I’ll be celebrating with my family.”
2nd, Wout van Aert (Belgium): “Top time trial, but Ganna was a lot stronger. I couldn’t do better, so I have to be satisfied with it. I had started hard, but I could not hold that rhythm in the last part of the first part, when the wind was on the head. I stopped going as fast as I had in mind. In the second part it went perfectly again. When I look at my values, I just rode a top time trial. I beat a lot of strong riders here, but Ganna was just a lot stronger. He has been able to work towards this 100% and that has added value. From here I still ride my bike to the hotel, to get a bit loose and then I try to recover as much as possible. Tomorrow I will explore the course of the road race, together with Oliver Naesen. Then I will know more.”
4th, Geraint Thomas (Great Britain): “It was tough, headwind out and tailwind back so you had to commit on the way out. I’m pretty happy with how it went, I think it looks good for the month ahead at the Giro. It’s the first one I’ve ever done, it’s the first time I’ve felt good for the Worlds as normally I’m empty for the end of the season. It was good to be in the mix, I’d have loved to have won a medal but that’s the way it goes. The legs seem pretty good which is good as the TTs are important in the Giro.”
World Championships Men’s Time Trial Result:
1. Filippo Ganna (Italy) in 35:54
2. Wout van Aert (Belgium) at 0:26
3. Stefan Küng (Switzerland) at 0:29
4. Geraint Thomas (Great Britain) at 0:37
5. Rohan Dennis (Australia) at 0:39
6. Kasper Asgreen (Denmark) at 0:47
7. Rémi Cavagna (France) at 0:48
8. Victor Campenaerts (Belgium) at 0:52
9. Alex Dowsett (Great Britain) at 1:06
10. Tom Dumoulin (Netherlands) at 1:14.
Men’s time trial:
World Championships Women’s Time Trial
Anna van der Breggen (Netherlands) won the women’s World time trial championships for the first time in her career on Thursday. She beat Marlen Reusser (Switzerland) her teammate, Ellen van Dijk. Last years champion, Chloé Dygert (USA) crashed out while leading.
Valeriya Kononenko, Mikayla Harvey and Elizabeth Banks were the top early riders. At the first intermediate point after 15 kilometres; Banks came through in 21:37 for the fastest first check-point time, but Emma Norsgaard was 16 seconds faster than Banks with 21:21. Lauren Stephens and Grace Brown both rode an excellent time trial and turned out to be a lot faster than Norsgaard at the intermediate point. Stephens managed to go 15 seconds below Norsgaard’s time, Brown in 20:35, was half a minute Van Dijk was a second slower and two-time World champion Amber Neben had to concede 13 seconds to Brown.
Lisa Brennauer, the world champion in Ponferrada, live up to her semi-favourite status by going 6 seconds than Brown. Marlen Reusser set a time of 20:02 at the intermediate point, 28 seconds faster than Brennauer. Van der Breggen was at 10 seconds. Dygert was 27 seconds faster than Reusser and seemed on her way to a second World title in a row, but she lost control of her bike on a descent and crashed over the barrier. The World title would now be between Reusser, Van der Breggen, and also Van Dijk.
Van Dijk had lost a lot of time at the first intermediate point, but finished well. Brown and Brennauer slowed to finish behind Van Dijk. The World champion of Firenze, Van Dijk, could dream of a new World title, but the strong Reusser managed to hold her own towards the finish and went 16 seconds faster. The rainbow jersey went to Van der Breggen in a time of 40:20. Reusser lost by 15 seconds, Van Dijk by 31.
Full ‘PEZ Race Report’ with more photos HERE.
World time trial champion, Anna van der Breggen (Netherlands): “This means a lot to me. I didn’t want to know any intermediate times along the way. I have often been second, but now it’s hit.” “But first I will enjoy this victory. Tomorrow I will focus on the road race again. It is a beautiful track and we are here with a strong team. However, I will enjoy it first and have a bad night’s sleep.” And the crash of Dygert? “I didn’t know anything, but that is also a time trial. You have to drive your own ride. Of course it is super annoying for her. She has probably done everything for this, just like many of the girls who are at the start here.”
3rd, Ellen van Dijk (Netherlands): “In the first place I have an unsatisfactory feeling, I really left it on the way there. About the finish I thought: this is not enough. I really started too slow. On the way there I thought: just go ramming! I haven’t done that stamping enough on the way there. It’s my own fault, I left too carefully. I actually do that a lot. I am fed up with that. The second part was good and that is how the first part should have been. I wonder about that all the time. It’s my fault. I just felt good and I thought: I’ll take it up a notch later. But I shouldn’t think so. I’m too scared to start too hard. I’ll ask myself a few more times. I’m a bit fed up, but Anna is the deserved winner. In the end, I just got another medal. I was not allowed to start a week ago. I must attach value to this, I will take another World Champs podium here. I really felt super happy and was looking forward to it. This was an opportunity that was given to me. I just had to seize this opportunity with both hands. You see that anything can happen. The top favourite (Chloé Dygert) crashed and so it really was a fantastic opportunity. So I’m a bit disappointed, but Anna is just super strong and the deserved winner.”
World Championships Women’s Time Trial Result:
1. Anna van der Breggen (Netherlands) in 40:20
2. Marlen Reusser (Switzerland) at 0:15
3. Ellen van Dijk (Netherlands) at 0:31
4. Lisa Brennauer (Germany) at 0:45
5. Grace Brown (Australia) at 1:01
6. Amber Neben (United States) at 1:20
7. Emma Cecilie Norsgaard (Denmark) at 1:22
8. Mieke Kröger (Germany) at 1:31
9. Lauren Stephens (United States) at 1:43
10. Vittoria Bussi (Italy) at 1:46.
Women’s time trial:
Paris-Chauny 2020
Nacer Bouhanni took the victory on Sunday in the French one-day race; Paris-Chauny. Arkéa-Samsic’s sprinter was by far the fastest in the bunch sprint. He beat Alexander Krieger (Alpecin-Fenix) and Danny van Poppel (Circus-Wanty Gobert).
An early attack attempt by French champion Arnaud Démare was nipped in the bud, after which six did get clear of the peloton.
Jan-Willem van Schip (BEAT) escaped with Quentin Jauregui (AG2R-La Mondiale), Mathijs Paasschens (Biogoal-Wallonie Bruxelles), Alfdan De Decker (Circus-Wanty Gobert), Tim Naberman (Sunweb Development) and Gianni Marchand (Tarteletto-Isorex) to a 2 minutes lead.
The six managed to push their lead towards 5 minutes. Groupama-FDJ and Arkéa-Samsic set the pace for the peloton and allowed the lead to go, but were in control. In the end, the last escapees were caught 2 kilometres from the finish, after which Nacer Bouhanni managed to take the victory with a long sprint in a tricky final.
3rd, Danny Van Poppel (Circus-Wanty Gobert): “The race was very nervous, because of the wind and the rain. It wasn’t an easy race, but thanks to Alfdan in the breakaway we didn’t have to work in the peloton. It’s a pity that I lost my lead-out man Boy because of a crash, but Wesley did a great job towards the final kilometre. Bouhanni already had a gap before the last corner and couldn’t be caught anymore. I’m satisfied about my sprint and my third place. I’m going to the BinckBank Tour with a good feeling.”
Paris-Chauny Result:
1. Nacer Bouhanni (Fra) Arkéa Samsic in 4:46:27
2. Alexander Krieger (Ger) Alpecin-Fenix at 0:01
3. Danny van Poppel (Ned) Circus-Wanty Gobert
4. Jérémy Lecroq (Fra) B&B Hotels-Vital Concept p/b KTM
5. Arnaud Démare (Fra) Groupama-FDJ
6. Thomas Sprengers (Bel) Sport Vlaanderen-Baloise
7. Imerio Cima Gazprom-RusVelo
8. Timothy Dupont (Ita) Circus-Wanty Gobert
9. Pierre Barbier (Fra) Nippo Delko One Provence
10. Aaron Van Poucke (Bel) Sport Vlaanderen-Baloise.
Chauny’20:
Deceuninck – Quick-Step to BinckBank Tour
Yves Lampaert and Zdenek Stybar headline our squad for next week’s appointment.
Two overall wins, 18 stages and six secondary classifications – it’s safe to say that the BinckBank Tour has been a happy hunting ground for the Wolfpack since 2003. Taking place this year over just five days, the World Tour race will see once again a strong Deceuninck – Quick-Step team line-up at the start, ready to take on a mix of flat and hilly stages (including one finishing on the famous Muur van Geraardsbergen), spiced up by a 10.9km-long individual time trial in Vlissingen.
Having shown a very good condition at the Tour of Slovakia, which he finished in third overall, Shane Archbold will be back in action, as he gets to display his New Zealand National Champion jersey for the first time this season in a World Tour race on European soil. Victorious here in 2013 and points classification winner five years later, Zdenek Stybar will also be at the start and will give our team several cards to play, together with Yves Lampaert, Florian Sénéchal, Stijn Steels, Tour of Slovakia champion Jannik Steimle, and Bert Van Lerberghe, who just last weekend came close to winning Gooikse Pijl.
“It’s the last stage race before the Classics for many of the guys and we are going there with a squad capable of getting in the mix and bringing a couple of good results. Some of our riders are coming to the start after showing a good form at the Tour of Slovakia, while others have done the Belgian Championships recently. We’ll try to do also a good general classification and we expect the Muur-Kapelmuur stage on the last day to be again decisive in the final outcome”, said Deceuninck – Quick-Step sports director Wilfried Peeters.
29.09–03.10 BinckBank Tour (BEL) 2.UWT
Riders:
Shane Archbold (NZ)
Yves Lampaert (BEL)
Florian Sénéchal (FRA)
Stijn Steels (BEL)
Jannik Steimle (GER)
Zdenek Stybar (CZE)
Bert Van Lerberghe (BEL)
Sports Director: Wilfried Peeters (BEL).
CCC Team Looking for Opportunities with a Well-Rounded BinckBank Tour Rider Roster
A busy racing calendar continues with CCC Team heading to the start line of BinckBank Tour tomorrow (29 September) with a well-rounded six-rider roster for the now five-day race.
Sports Director Steve Bauer said that the WorldTour stage race provides CCC Team with different opportunities to race for success.
“This year, BinckBank Tour is a nicely-placed race for our riders preparing for the Cobbled Classics and our Belgian group of Van Hoecke, Van Hooydonck, and Van Keirsbulck know this terrain well, so I am expecting them to be aiming for a stage win. Jakub Mareczko has established some confidence after winning races at Tour de Hongrie and so we will focus on him for any bunch sprint finales while Patrick Bevin, a time trial specialist, will be ready to perform on the stage two race against the clock. While we don’t have a specific General Classification leader, I think after the time trial we will be able to see how we can approach the race from that perspective with our group,” Bauer explained.
After his success at Tour de Hongrie, where he secured three stage wins, Jakub Mareczko is motivated ahead of BinckBank Tour.
“After my stage wins at Tour de Hongrie, I am feeling really motivated for BinckBank Tour. It’s been a little while since I last raced but I have continued to train hard since Hungary and so, I am confident in my shape. I am still chasing that elusive WorldTour stage win and there are some potential opportunities for me to try to take a victory at this race so, I am looking forward to it. I have a lot of confidence in the team we have starting and I will hopefully be able to continue my success here,” Mareczko said.
BinckBank Tour (29 September – 03 October)
Rider Roster:
Patrick Bevin (NZL)
Jakub Mareczko (ITA)
Gijs Van Hoecke (BEL)
Nathan Van Hooydonck (BEL)
Guillaume Van Keirsbulck (BEL)
Francisco Ventoso (ESP).
Sports Directors: Steve Bauer (CAN), Piotr Wadecki (POL).
Patrick Bevin:
UAE Team Emirates Ready for BinckBank
From September 29th till October 3rd, UAE Team Emirates return to racing on the roads of Belgium and Holland for their next World Tour fixture – the BinckBank Tour.
The race will be run over five stages, including a time trial, on roads often graced by the spring classics with the final day finishing in Louvain La Neuve. After being close to winning a stage here last year, our young Belgian talent, Jasper Philipsen will be eager to challenge and build on the momentum generated by his teammates after a very successful start to the season for the team.
Sports directors Andrej Hauptman (Slo) and Allan Peiper (Aus) will manage seven riders:
– Tom Bohli (Sui)
– Sven Erik Bystrøm (Nor)
– Alessandro Covi (Ita)
– Ivo Oliveira (Por)
– Rui Oliveira (Por)
– Jasper Philipsen (Bel)
– Aleksandr Riabushenko (Bel).
Jasper Philipsen: “Last year I also rode BinckBank and came close to winning a stage. It’s 5 days of hard racing and from looking at the parcours there are a few days that suit me well. This year I hope to go one step further and go for a stage win. We have a good team for the week so I’m looking forward to it and really motivated to race on home roads here in Belgium.”
BinckBank Tour (September 29 – October 3)
Last year Oliver Naesen won in a sprint ahead of Greg Van Avermaet on the final stage which finished at Geraardsbergen. He also finished second in the general classification.
Lawrence Naesen: “The BinckBank Tour has a taste of the Flandrian Classics.
It is not usual for me to do this kind of event before the cobbled races, but I am very happy to be at the start of the race. I’m pretty happy with my feelings during the last events (7th in the Brussels Cycling Classic). Last year, Oliver won at Geraardsbergen and I think he can repeat this performance. The whole team will be super motivated around him.”
An ill Clément Chevrier will not be at the start of the Flèche Wallonne (September 30). He is being replaced by Quentin Jauregui.
Turning Over a New Leaf with an Autumn Flèche Wallonne
Holding the spring classics in the wake of the Tour de France and right after the world championships is not something we see every year. The Mur de Huy remains just as steep in the autumn season and will set the stage for a fierce battle, but the revamped calendar offers a clearer picture of where each pretender stands. Although it is no crystal ball, the start list includes the three men who finished on the podium of the Tour as well as ten riders who won a stage or wore the yellow jersey at some point in the race. One of them is Julian Alaphilippe, who failed to match his performance of July 2019 but feels in his element when the road bends towards the sky on the Chemin des Chapelles. This race was his breakout performance in 2015, when he finished in second place. He was also the runner-up in 2016 before going on to become the top dog in later editions. “Alaf” has never lost the Flèche Wallonne to any rider not named Alejandro Valverde. The Spaniard will be skipping his totemic race for the first time this year. However, Alaphilippe would be wrong to count his chickens before they hatch, as the Slovenian duo will be seeking to rule the roost in Belgium as in the Tour. The same kick that “Superman” López displayed on the Col de la Loze also makes him a force to be reckoned with on the Mur, while Marc Hirschi is also a contender on account of his sheer panache.
Alaphilippe in 2019
However, other riders will also be seeking to leave their mark on the Flèche Wallonne, as riders who came up short in the Grande Boucle strive to make amends for the disappointment. If he has already recovered, Egan Bernal will want to announce to the world that the whiz kid is back. Other true champions sat out the Tour and will be fighting to shine in a race close to their hearts: Belgian Tim Wellens, hunting for a win on home turf; Italian Diego Ulissi, who came in third last year and dominated the recent Tour de Luxembourg; Enrico Gasparotto, who has finished twice in the top 10 of the Flèche; or Dylan Teuns, who has also stood on the podium and would like to go two better than in 2017.
25 teams, main contenders:
Australia
Mitchelton–Scott: A. Yates (GBR), Albasini (SUI) and Impey (RSA)
Bahrain
Bahrain McLaren: Landa (ESP), Caruso (ITA), Poels (NED) and Teuns (BEL)
Belgium
Deceuninck–Quick-Step: Alaphilippe, Cavagna (FRA) and Jungels (LUX)
Lotto–Soudal: Wellens and De Gendt (BEL)
Circus–Wanty Gobert: Bakelants (BEL)
Sport Vlaanderen–Baloise: E. Planckaert (BEL)
Bingoal–WB: Vanendert (BEL)
Alpecin–Fenix: Vakoc (CZE)
France
Ag2r–La Mondiale: Cosnefroy, Vuillermoz and Godon (FRA)
Groupama–FDJ: Madouas and Molard (FRA)
Cofidis: J. Herrada (ESP) and Edet (FRA)
Total Direct Énergie: Calmejane and Hivert (FRA)
Team Arkéa–Samsic: Barguil (FRA)
Germany
Bora–Hansgrohe: Kämna (GER) and McCarthy (AUS)
Team Sunweb: Hirschi (SUI)
Kazakhstan
Astana Pro Team: Fraile (ESP), López (COL) and Lutsenko (KAZ)
Netherlands
Jumbo–Visma: Roglic (SLO), Bennett (NZL) and Kuss (USA)
Poland
CCC Team: Geschke (GER) and De Marchi (ITA)
South Africa
NTT Pro Cycling: Gasparotto (ITA) and Gibbons (RSA)
Spain
Movistar Team: Prades (ESP)
United Arab Emirates
UAE Team Emirates: Pogacar (SLO), Costa (POR) and Ulissi (ITA)
United Kingdom
Ineos Grenadiers: Bernal (COL), Kwiatkowski (POL) and Moscon (ITA)
United States
Trek–Segafredo: Porte (AUS), Mollema (NED) and Skujins (LAT)
EF Pro Cycling: Higuita, Martínez and Uran (COL)
Key points:
Ø The 84th edition of the Flèche Wallonne, which will be held on the roads from Herve to Huy on Wednesday 30 September, will feature the movers and shakers of the last Tour de France, including Slovenia’s Tadej Pogacar and Primoz Roglic, who finished on the top two steps of the podium in Paris.
Ø Two-time race winner and defending champion Julian Alaphilippe, who also wore the yellow jersey in the early stages of the Tour, is another man to watch in a race tailored to his abilities.
More information about Flèche Wallonne on www.la-fleche-wallonne.be/en/
Flèche Wallonne (September 30th) / Liège-Bastogne-Liège (October 4th)
Benoit Cosnefroy will compete for the third time in the two Ardennes classics. In 2019, he took 12th place at the Flèche Wallonne.
Benoit Cosnefroy: “I came out of the Tour de France, certainly tired, but ultimately in good shape. I even felt better in the third week than in the second where I was really feeling the strain of the efforts I had made in the first days. The experience of spending 15 days in the polka dot jersey was extraordinary. It was a real pleasure which has increased my visibility with the fans. I’m waiting with desire and determination for the Ardennes races, which are important goals for my season. I want to do well. The Tour de France has been an ideal preparation, but at the same time it makes it less easy to manage your form than when you particularly plan for these races in the spring. The Flèche Wallonne is an intense and short effort and I remember especially the pain on the Mur de Huy. Of the two Ardennes, this is my favourite because it is a fight at the end, with a steep climb. For me, this is one of the most intense battles of the season. Liège-Bastogne-Liège is an endurance race, exhausting and physical, strewn with difficulties.”
Deceuninck – Quick-Step to Flèche Wallonne
This year’s edition will be 202 kilometres in length and pack a total of ten climbs.
Julian Alaphilippe returns to Flèche Wallonne, where he triumphed in the past two seasons, becoming one of the few riders in history to rack up back-to-back wins. The 28-year-old, who once again animated the Tour de France, taking a stage victory and wearing the yellow jersey for three days, will lead Deceuninck – Quick-Step at the prestigious Belgian Classic, which has made new tweaks for this 84th edition, set to start from the small town of Herve for the first time in history.
Côte de Ereffe will still feature three times, but Côte de Cherave has been replaced with Côte du Chemin des Gueuses, a 1.8km hill averaging 6.5% which is set to be topped just eight kilometres from the bottom of the day’s last and main difficulty. Together with the iconic Mur de Huy (1300 meters, 9.6%), which will once again be tackled on three occasions, the last time after 200 kilometres, these climbs will make the race more difficult and could very well alter its dynamic, especially if some riders decide to throw caution to wind before the final ascents.
Julian Alaphilippe will be joined at the start of Flèche Wallonne by Andrea Bagioli, countryman Rémi Cavagna, Dries Devenyns, Ian Garrison, Bob Jungels, and Mauri Vansevenant – a solid squad that Deceuninck – Quick-Step sports director Tom Steels is confident can feature in the business end of the race: “Flèche comes after a really busy month, with the Tour de France and the World Championships, and awaits with one of the hardest finishes of the whole season, so the legs will be important on Wednesday. On the other hand, we have a strong team and we hope to come out of the race with a good result.”
30.09 La Flèche Wallonne (BEL) 1.UWT
Riders:
Julian Alaphilippe (FRA)
Andrea Bagioli (ITA)
Rémi Cavagna (FRA)
Dries Devenyns (BEL)
Ian Garrison (USA)
Bob Jungels (LUX)
Mauri Vansevenant (BEL).
Sports Director:Tom Steels (BEL) and Rik van Slycke (BEL).
Last year’s winner – Julian Alaphilippe:
De Marchi and Geschke to Headline CCC Team’s La Flèche Wallonne Rider Roster
The Ardennes Classics begin next week with La Flèche Wallonne on Wednesday (30 September) which will see Alessandro De Marchi and Simon Geschke headline CCC Team’s rider roster.
Sports Director Valerio Piva said that CCC Team is taking a mix of youth and experience to the 202-kilometre race.
“This is the start of a big block of one-day Classics and, like everyone, we are all looking forward to it. For La Flèche Wallonne, we have a strong team with riders who have lots of experience as well as some who will be racing here for the first time. Our ambition is to be active right from the start of the race and I think Alessandro De Marchi and Simon Geschke will be our leaders on paper. Alongside Jan Hirt and Jonas Koch, both of them head to the race after the Tour de France and I think this race suits their styles more so, while I don’t necessarily want to sacrifice any rider, we will try to save De Marchi and Geschke for the finale. The circuit is different from previous years but with the finish staying on the Mur de Huy, the race will still be hard. Overall, I think we have a good team for this kind of parcours and we will aim to continue racing aggressively,” Piva explained.
De Marchi and Geschke are looking forward to the start of the Ardennes Classics after a demanding Tour de France.
“I am happy to be back racing in the Ardennes and it will definitely be interesting to see how these races change now they are taking place at a different time of the year and also, now that most of the bunch will probably be coming out of the Tour de France. I think this is maybe the first time we will race these particular Classics after a Grand Tour and that will definitely change the type of racing we see but I am looking forward to it. Personally, I am coming out of the Tour feeling good and confident in my shape so I am also curious about how I will react to these races with a Grand Tour already in my legs but I am ready for them, starting with La Flèche Wallonne, and I hope that I can find a good result out on the road,” De Marchi said.
“The Tour was obviously pretty tough for us all and now the rest of the season is coming up really quick so, it’s a new situation for everyone with these races at this time of the year. I think everything will depend on how fresh you are feeling and how well you have recovered from the previous races. I can take some confidence out of how I am feeling now and also that last year after the Tour, I was also racing well so I am hoping for the same thing this year. The Ardennes Classics were one of my main goals for the season at the start of the year so, even though they’re happening at a different time, I want to make the most out of them and I hope that I can perform well and get some good results,” Geschke added.
La Flèche Wallonne (30 September)
Rider Roster:
Will Barta (USA)
Alessandro De Marchi (ITA)
Simon Geschke (GER)
Jan Hirt (CZE)
Jonas Koch (GER)
Michał Paluta (POL)
Georg Zimmermann (GER).
Sports Director: Valerio Piva (ITA).
Alessandro De Marchi looking forward to the Classics:
Paris–Roubaix Femmes: A Rite of Passage on the Cobblestones
Their time has come. The world’s top female cyclists have long watched their male counterparts do battle and get rattled on the cobbled sectors of Paris–Roubaix with a mix of jealousy and awe. Now, their first foray into the Hell of the North is approaching fast. The town of Denain, in the Nord department, will host the start of the race. The “fun” starts after 20-odd kilometres, especially when the riders get to Hornaing, where the courses of the two races converge. At that point, 86 kilometres and two sectors with the maximum difficulty rating will stand between them and glory: Mons-en-Pévèle and the Carrefour de l’Arbre, which have witnessed numerous make-or-break moments for cobble-gobblers over the generations. This year, the ladies will also know how it feels to go head to head on such hellish terrain, which only makes the entrance to Roubaix Velodrome that much sweeter.
Committed Partners
Already a major partner in men’s racing, the Hauts-de-France region is, with its newest collaboration, showing how strongly committed it is to cycling, the cobbles and to the “Reine des Classiques”.
FDJ, who have just renewed their partnership with the “La Course By Le Tour de France avec FDJ”, reinforce their presence in women’s cycling by becoming the official partner of the new race. This partnership has been created as a part of the “Sport pour elles” program, launched by FDJ in 2016. FDJ-Nouvelle-Aquitaine-Futuroscope cycling team of which it is the major partner will be at the start of this first Paris-Roubaix women.
Amaury Sport Organisation is glad to be able to count on all of the partners of the men’s event for their growing support for the first edition of Paris-Roubaix Women.
Teams selection
In accordance with the Union Cycliste International’s regulations, the eight women’s UCI World Teams automatically entered are:
ALE’ BTC LJUBLJANA (ITA)
CANYON / /SRAM RACING (GER)
CCC – LIV (POL)
FDJ NOUVELLE – AQUITAINE FUTUROSCOPE (FRA)
MITCHELTON SCOTT (AUS)
MOVISTAR TEAM WOMEN (ESP)
TEAM SUNWEB (GER)
TREK – SEGAFREDO (USA)
As well as the eight teams already selected, the organisers have extended invitations to the following fifteen teams:
AROMITALIA – BASSO BIKES – VAIANO (ITA)
ASTANA WOMEN’S TEAM (KAZ)
BEPINK (ITA)
BOELS DOLMANS CYCLINGTEAM (NED)
CERATIZIT – WNT PRO CYCLING TEAM (GER)
CHARENTE – MARITIME WOMEN CYCLING (FRA)
COGEAS METTLER LOOK PRO CYCLING TEAM (RUS)
HITEC PRODUCTS – BIRK SPORT (NOR)
LOTTO SOUDAL LADIES (BEL)
PARKHOTEL VALKENBURG (NED)
PAULE KA (SUI)
RALLY CYCLING (USA)
TEAM ARKEA (FRA)
TEAM TIBCO – SILICON VALLEY BANK (USA)
VALCAR-TRAVEL & SERVICE (ITA).
Key points:
Ø The inaugural edition of the Women’s Paris–Roubaix will be held ahead of the men’s race on Sunday 25 October. The peloton will roll out from Denain at 9:10 am and tackle a 116 km course featuring 29,2 kilometres of cobblestones divided in 17 sectors.
Ø A provisional live broadcast of the Paris Roubaix Femmes on both general interest channels with large audiences and on sports-dedicated channels in almost 130 territories on 5 continents.
Ø 24 teams representing the world cycling elite have been invited to be part of this momentous event.
All information about Paris-Roubaix Femmes on www.paris-roubaix.fr/en/
The route of the first edition:
Volta a Portugal with Nine Days of Race from Sunday
The 2020 edition of the Volta a Portugal will start next Sunday with Prologue in Fafe. The race will end in Lisboa, the Portuguese capital, on October 5th.
Fifteen teams will attend the race, nine Portuguese continental teams, five ProTeams from France, Spain and USA, and a young Portuguese National Team.
The pandemic situation moved the race from the traditional August slot on international calendar to this new date.
The race will open with a prologue, a 7 km individual time trial, in Fafe. The first stage will link Montalegre to Santa Luzia (Viana do Castelo). The finish line is atop of a third category climb. The second stage is one of the queen stages of the competition, starting in Paredes and ending at Senhora da Graça, a first category mountain climb in Mondim de Basto.
The sprinters will have their first chance on third stage, a trip from Felgueiras to Viseu. The fourth stage will guide the peloton from Guarda to the highest point of the Portugal, Torre, at Serra da Estrela. The finish line is special category mountain.
The fifth stage starts in Oliveira do Hospital and finishes in Águeda, one of the most important clusters of the European bike industry. Is another opportunity for the sprinters.
The sixth stage will link Caldas da Rainha to Torres Vedras, the hometown of the Portuguese glory Joaquim Agostinho, who won the Volta a Portugal for the first time 50 years ago. The sprinters will find here their third chance to shine.
The penultimate stage starts in Loures to finish in Setúbal. A short but steep climb in Arrábida, 13,4 km from the finish line could be the last chance to shake the race before the last day ITT.
The eight stage is a flat 17,7 km individual time trial in Lisboa.
Teams
ProTeams: Burgos-BH, Caja Rural-Seguros RGA, Nippo Delko Provence, Rally Cycling, Team Arkéa-Samsic.
Continental: Atum General-Tavira-Maria Nova Hotel, Aviludo-Louletano, Efapel, Feirense, Kelly-Simoldes-UDO, LA Alumínios-LA Sport, Miranda-Mortágua, Rádio Popular-Boavista, W52-FC Porto.
National Team: Portugal.
Stages: September 27th to October 5th:
Prologue: Fafe – Fafe, 7 km (ITT)
Stage 1: Montalegre – Santa Luzia (Viana do Castelo), 180 km
Stage 2: Paredes – Senhora da Graça (Mondim de Basto), 167 km
Stage 3: Felgueiras – Viseu, 171,9 km
Stage 4: Guarda – Torre (Covilhã), 148 km
Stage 5: Oliveira do Hospital – Águeda, 176,3 km
Stage 6: Caldas da Rainha – Torres Vedras, 155 km
Stage 7: Loures – Setúbal, 161 km
Stage 8: Lisboa – Lisboa, 17,7 km (ITT)
Final 2019 podium:
2020 Amstel Gold Race Still Unsure
Annemarie Penn-te Strake, chairman of the South Limburg Safety Committee, is optimistic about the running of the Amstel Gold Race in 2020.
Penn-te Strake has had many conversations with the organisation in recent weeks, she told the L1 program L1mburg Central. “We are almost there, but things still need to be sorted out. The problem is that the classic Amstel Gold Race is so long and has so many kilometres that it is impossible to make sure that no people come. The organisation is top notch and calls for people not to come. But we have to look for what is possible.”
Initially, it was intended that this week it would become clear whether the Dutch Classic can continue, but the final decision has been postponed for the time being. “Due to the current situation with Covid-19, the decision-making regarding the licensing of the Amstel Gold Race 2020 is more complex than before,” organiser Roy Packbier told the Limburg broadcaster. “A final decision is expected to follow next week.”
The Amstel Gold Race is scheduled for Saturday October 10th:
Lappartient Confirms that the 2020 Vuelta a España Will Run
According to the UCI president David Lappartient, the Vuelta a España will “continue as usual” and there has not yet been any cancellation. Tuttobiciweb reported.
However, Lappartient has indicated that there will be a stricter corona protocol, which meets the requirements of the Spanish health authorities. In Spain it is also going in the wrong direction with the corona virus. For example, parts of the Madrid region have been placed in a new lockdown. The Vuelta a España is already on the program next month. On October 20, the start will be in the Basque Country, the finish is scheduled for November 8 in Madrid.
Will the Vuelta get to Madrid?
The Trofeo Senza Fine Awaits the Giro 103 Winner in Molan
From today until the last day of the Corsa Rosa the Trofeo Senza Fine (Never Ending Trophy), the iconic award for the winner of the Giro d’Italia, will be displayed in Milan’s Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II. The countdown by Tissot, official timekeeper of the Giro, has begun. Councillor for Tourism and Sports of the Municipality of Milan Roberta Guaineri, Antonio Rossi, Sottosegretario for Major Sporting Events of the Lombardy Region and RCS Sport CEO and General Manager Paolo Bellino were present at the event, together with Tissot Marketing and Sponsoring Strategist Régis Menoux and Tissot Italian Brand Manager Stefano Carrara.
Stefano Carrara and Paolo Bellino unveils the Trofeo Senza Fine
From today and for the next month fans can admire the Trofeo Senza Fine in Milan’s Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II.
A special countdown by Tissot, official timekeeper of the 103rd Giro d’Italia, has now been started. It will display the number of seconds remaining until the winner of the 103rd edition of the Corsa Rosa is formally announced, the trophy is presented and the celebrations begin.
Roberta Guaineri, Councillor for Tourism and Sports of the Municipality of Milan, said: “The arrival of the Giro d’Italia in Milan is always synonymous with great emotion and pride for our city. In this very difficult year for our country and for the whole world, each stage of the Corsa Rosa will acquire a profound value. Time trials, climbs and sprints that will see riders from all over the world as protagonists will be the most beautiful hug that Italy can receive and give at the same time. In a month, Milan will be ready to welcome and celebrate the winner. The wait was long, but luckily the countdown has begun.”
Antonio Rossi, Sottosegretario for Major Sporting Events of the Lombardy Region, added: “This is a very important Giro d’Italia, for our Country as well as for our Region. In Lombardy, we will have some key stages of the Corsa Rosa such as the one of the Laghi di Cancano and the final one in Milan: a further restart for all of us.”
Sylvain Dolla, CEO of Tissot, said: “Tissot is very proud to be the official timekeeper of the Giro d’Italia and this countdown clock is very important for us as it represents the beginning of a strong relationship between Tissot and RCS. We are looking forward to the beginning of the Giro d’Italia, which will start on 3 October.”
Paolo Bellino, CEO and General Manager of RCS Sport, said: “Today marks a very important moment. We have unveiled, in the city where the 103rd edition of the Giro d’Italia will end, the trophy that will await the winner of the Corsa Rosa in exactly one month. Together with the city of Milan and our official timekeeper Tissot, we decided to give a signal, placing the symbol of the Giro d’Italia in one of the most iconic places of this city. The relationship that links the Corsa Rosa with Milan is something unique: for the 78th time in fact the Lombard capital will host the last stage, this time an individual time trial that will end right nearby, in Piazza del Duomo, in the shade of the Madonnina.”
Giro Rosa Not Part of the Women’s WorldTour in 2021
In addition to the WorldTour calendar for men, the UCI has also published the WorldTour calendar for women. This is a provisional version, which depends on the developments regarding the corona virus. The Giro Rosa no longer belongs to the Women’s WorldTour.
The Italian stage race, the most prestigious Tour for women, has not been able to meet the UCI’s requirements for Women’s WorldTour races for several years. For example, a live broadcast of at least 45 minutes is mandatory, but it was missing during the last Giro Rosa.
The Giro Rosa is on the calendar in 2020 as a 2.Pro race, from July 2-11.
UCI Women’s WorldTour 2021:
Cadel Evans Great Ocean Road Race January 30 (Aus)
Strade Bianche March 6 (Ita)
Tour of Drenthe March 14 (Ned)
Trofeo Alfredo Binda March 21 (Ita)
Three-day Bruges-De Panne 25 March (Bel)
Gent-Wevelgem 28 March (Bel)
Tour of Flanders April 4 (Bel)
Paris-Roubaix (April 11 (Fra)
Amstel Gold Race April 18 (Ned)
Wallonne 21 April (Bel)
Liège-Bastogne-Liège April 25 (Bel)
Tour of Chongming Island May 6-8 (Chi)
Tour of the Basque Country 14-16 May (Spa)
Tour of Burgos 20-23 May (Spa)
RideLondon Classique May 30 (GB)
Women’s Tour June 7-12 (GB)
La Course July 18 (Fra)
Vårgårda TTT August 7 (Swe)
Vårgårda RR August 8 (Swe)
Ladies Tour of Norway August 12-15 (Nor)
Boels Ladies Tour 24-29 August (Ned)
GP de Plouay August 30 (Fra)
Challenge by La Vuelta 3-5 September (Spa)
Tour of Guangxi October 19 (Chi).
No Giro Rosa in the 2021 WorldTour:
INEOS Grenadiers Confirm Final Signings to Complete 2021 Roster
The INEOS Grenadiers have today confirmed the signings of Tom Pidcock, Richie Porte, Laurens de Plus and Dani Martinez. They join Adam Yates as new signings for the team for the next season.
INEOS Grenadiers Team Principal Sir Dave Brailsford said: “This season we have seen a change in both individual performance levels and the collective strength of teams. Riders are better prepared and teams more organised. The intensity of competition is increasing and it’s getting more difficult to win. We are relishing this challenge and focused on coming back stronger. The riders themselves are at the heart of any team and each one of our new signings forms a key part of the evolution of the Team.
“It’s clear Tom is one of the most exciting young riders in world cycling and part of a new era of incredible all-round talents. We’re witnessing a new trend in cycling, with an emergence of young riders who come from a broader, multi-disciplined background. Tom’s career so far really embodies that. He’s competed at the highest level across several disciplines, an incredible bike handler, a natural born bike racer, and a winner.
“Now he’s going to be an INEOS Grenadier and it’s invigorating for the whole team to be developing a talent like Tom.
“We are also particularly happy to add a rider of Lauren’s capability to our team. We admire his breadth of ability and we want to support him to develop and reach his full potential both individually and as part of our Team.
“Our mission is to bring together a squad capable of performing in the world’s most important races and believe Laurens will play a key role in that. He is single-minded, determined and willing to work hard to get to where he wants to go – everything we look for in an INEOS Grenadier.
“Richie’s richly-deserved podium at the Tour de France once again demonstrated that he’s one of the best riders in the peloton. He’s a world class climber, time triallist, and if you are building a team to be competitive against the world’s best then you’d want Richie Porte by your side.
“We already know how each other works, he knows how we race, and with the wealth of experience that Richie now has he has so much to offer the team. We really are extremely pleased to welcome him back!
“We’ve been monitoring Dani for many seasons as he has impressed us from an early age and after his recent performances, now everyone can see why we’re so excited.
“He rode a fantastic race at the Dauphine and he showed what he’s made of again with his gruelling stage win at the Tour. He is a tenacious, world-class climber who can also time trial and we want Dani to continue his success and be a key part of our future team.”
Tom Pidcock, the 21 year old from Yorkshire who is fresh off his win at the 2020 Baby Giro and set to lead Team GB in the elite men’s road race this weekend in Italy said: “I am incredibly excited and proud to be signing for the INEOS Grenadiers. Like so many British cyclists of my generation, I have always aspired to race on the road with this team – to me, the best in the world.
“I just want to keep racing, learning and growing as a bike rider, and having the opportunity to do that in this team is amazing. I feel like I’m ready for the WorldTour but also excited to keep exploring multiple disciplines with the support of this team behind me.”
Pidcock’s contract with the INEOS Grenadiers will begin on 1 March 2021.
Richie Porte, who finished third at this year’s Tour de France and will return to the team having spent four successful seasons as a Team Sky rider from 2012 to 2015, said: “I had four fantastic years and some of the happiest memories riding here. I weighed up the options this year and I’m very motivated to be able to finish my career at such a fantastic team.
“I’ve been privileged with the teams I’ve ridden with but the camaraderie in this team is just incredible. It’s a great atmosphere and it will be nice to come back and hit the ground running. There are still so many good people and friends in the team that I’ve worked with before.
“I’m motivated to be a part of more victories and to come back and race with some of the best guys in the world. I know what my role is – I know I can still win races on my day, but I see myself slotting in as a climbing domestique and it’s something I really look forward to.”
Laurens de Plus, the young Belgian climber who displayed talent and versatility last season with an overall victory at the BinckBank Tour and a stand-out performance in his Tour de France debut, said: “I am really happy to have this chance. In the peloton, everybody talks about this Team and the way they have taken cycling to a higher level. I want to be a part of that. It was not an easy decision, of course, but riding for this Team has been my dream for a long time.
“Last year’s Tour de France felt like a breakthrough for me and I just want to keep going on that trajectory. I am looking forward to learning from the best Grand Tour riders and developing over the next few years. There is a super strong group of young riders at the INEOS Grenadiers and I want to be part of that as this group develops and gets even better.”
Dani Martinez, fresh off an impressive Tour de France stage win and overall victory at the prestigious Criterium du Dauphine, said: “I have been making progress over the last few seasons and have been really lucky with the support I have had, but the opportunity to ride for the INEOS Grenadiers was too good an opportunity to not take. I believe this is the right time to try and take my career to the next level and I am hugely motivated to learn from the best in the world.
“I obviously know Egan and a few of the other guys in the team too so it will be nice to continue to ride with some compatriots.”
Joop Zoetemelk to Leave Hospital Soon
Joop Zoetemelk had a successful operation after he sustained multiple fractures during a bike ride on Sunday, due to a collision with a car. The 73-year-old Zoetemelk has no organ and brain damage from the crash. Initially it was thought that his right leg was also broken, but it turns out not to be. There is a big wound on that leg. The doctors have informed Zoetemelk’s wife Dany that he can leave the hospital in a few days.
“Joop was operated on an arm and a leg on Sunday. In any case, there is no organ damage or head trauma,” Zoetemelk’s wife told De Telegraaf. “He will have to stay in the hospital for a while, but he is doing well under the circumstances.”
On Sunday morning, Zoetemelk (winner of the Tour de France 1980) was hit by a car in the Paris area, after which he was taken to hospital by helicopter.
Zoetemelk winning the Worlds road race in 1985:
Remco Evenepoel: “The real recovery has now begun for me”
Six weeks after his crash in Il Lombardia, the 20-year-old has taken the next step in his road to recovery
26-Sep-2020: On Friday, scans in the AZ hospital in Herentals showed that Remco Evenepoel’s recovery from his pelvic fracture is developing in the right direction. From now on, Remco doesn’t need his crutches anymore when walking around and he can slowly start building up training sessions on the rollers, in combination with a series of rehabilitation exercises with the physiotherapist. If that goes well, he can start looking forward to a first training ride in the open air.
“I’m doing well”, said Remco Evenepoel after his visit to the hospital. “I am almost completely pain-free and I am a lot more mobile. I can leave the crutches aside now and I’m happy to be able to start working in a more targeted manner. My recovery process has been going well in recent weeks. Initially I found it hard to go from everything to nothing in terms of movement. But after a necessary period of rest I became more and more mobile recently.”
“In the coming weeks, on weekdays I will spend several hours at the physiotherapist’s doing exercises for pelvic stability and flexibility, which I will combine with cycling training on the rollers. If everything goes well and the weather is fine, I can then go outside for a bike ride. You can say that the real recovery has now begun for me, working towards properly exercising again. The next goal is now to complete a proper training session on the rollers and then to ride outdoors. We’ll then see how that works out. I’m definitely not going out in the rain and taking unnecessary risks of slipping. As soon as the weather improves, I will definitely enjoy a nice training ride in the open air”, Evenepoel added.
Recovery for Remco:
Idemticos, a new project of the Contador Foundation for the promotion of cycling among people with functional diversity
Let functional disability, whatever it may be, not prevent anyone from practising a wonderful sport like cycling. This is the starting point for Idemticos, the new project with which the Contador Foundation, thanks to the decisive collaboration of Cofidis, wants to promote recreational cycling among people with disabilities, both physical and mental, through the Plaza Eboli Cycling Academy.
Although the promotion of competition is not one of the foundational objectives of the Idemticos project, the Contador Foundation is very aware of its importance as a means of achieving greater visibility, as a tool for greater normalisation and as a springboard for total integration into society. For this reason, Idemticos will be represented by several ambassadors whom it will support individually in the development of their competitive activity within their respective categories: the Catalan living in Granada, José Manuel Dosdad (1973) and the Madrid-based Carlos Javier Mozos (1975), Eva Moral (1982) and Gonzalo García (1996).
For further information, click here.
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